Packers’ DC Mike Pettine Is Highly Quotable

The Green Bay Packers’ new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine speaks his mind – whether or not it gets him in trouble. In just one Q & A session in Green Bay, below are some gems the Packers’ new defensive coordinator delivered.

Mike Pettine Quotes as Packers’ Defensive Coordinator

You’ve got to assess who’s on campus, and how can we best build the defense to take advantage of their skill set.

We’ll be prepared – it starts with fundamentals… It’s not a system that is overwhelming to learn.

We’ll play with great technique and passion – otherwise scheme is worthless.

(An offense tries to) identify the rushers and what position they’re playing.

You have to find a way to affect a quarterback.

We’d like to “appear” multiple, without necessarily putting that much stuff in… We’re going to be multiple and we’re going to be aggressive.

(I’ve gone from) Baltimore, to the Jets, to the Bills to the Browns. I’m working my way along the Great Lakes. I’m afraid my next job is going to be in Canada, though.

We could line up and play one front and one cover – if our guys are prepared and we play with great technique and great passion, we’ll be successful.

(After a terrible experience as the Browns’ head coach) It took me a while before I could smell smells and see colors.

I’ve been told my natural resting gaze is not a pleasant one.

If NFL quarterbacks know what you’re in pre-snap, you’re in trouble.

(On why he’s had so much pass defense success) Because we prioritize it… You lose a heck of a lot faster when you’re giving up chunks in the pass game.

(When a head coach) I missed… the chess game part – designing a game plan tailored to your opponent.

It’s important that the players understand the thinking… I always like to explain the why.

Other Quotable Quotes by Pettine

Prior to a Browns-Seahawks game in 2015, which Seahawks won 30-13:

“Would you put (Russell Wilson) there with the guys that can transcend their supporting cast? The Bradys, whether it’s Aaron Rodgers, (Drew) Brees, (Ben) Roethlisberger, the ones that you would consider the two, three, four elite guys? No. But he’s certainly played himself into that next tier.”

When asked about DeflateGate, wherein Patriots QB Tom Brady received a four-game suspension:

“I know what was put out there, but (Brady’s) one of the best ever and it would be a shame to tarnish that and we’ll see how it plays out. I’ve always had a lot of respect for him, but also I lose a lot of respect for people who cheat.”

On “PlaybookGate,” wherein Pettine openly questioned whether the Patriots obtained a copy of the Jets’ playbook:

“It didn’t shock me because Rex (Jets’ head coach Ryan) would give them out like candy anyway. He gave one out to (Alabama head coach Nick) Saban, and I was like, ‘Don’t you know Saban and Bill are pretty good friends? I have a feeling it’s going to end up in New England.’”

On Pettine’s last Browns’ win, breaking a seven-game losing streak, over the 49ers in 2015, on the way to a 3-13 season:

“I thought you saw one team that wanted to be out there and wanted to compete and wanted to win a football game, and I don’t know if I sensed that same attitude from the other side.”

About QB Johnny Manziel, just after 2015 season, and just before Pettine was fired as the Browns head coach:

“Here is a guy that has an NFL skill set. He’s very talented. If you spend some time with him, he’s a likable guy. You root for him. But there are problems… We want to make sure that all of our players are in good shape as people first, players second because I don’t think you can be as effective as you can be as a player if things aren’t right off the field, and he’s a good example of that.”

About The Author

Rob is currently twiddling his thumbs on Whidbey Island in Washington. He likes to do research, although he has no shortage of opinions. He saw his first live Packers game in 1958, the only win of the year.

Careful Mike, you can’t be too funny, quotable, witty, and popular. There’s a guy doing dorky cellular (Challenge!) commercials that might not care for the upstaging. You have to find a way to stroke a head coach’s ego, not threaten it.

Incredibly important draft, especially for the defense. They need a difference maker in the first round. Someone that makes others around them better. The way things are shaking out, the packers are incredibly fortunate that that there are a lot of strong prospects at the QB position, could be as many as 4 in the top 10 picks. The packers could end up with a top 5 defensive prospect. Especially if they trade into the top ten, being as they have a lot of picks to maneuver with. And in that case, they must take BPA, regardless of how they feel about their position groups (defensive line). They have Daniels, Clark, and Lowry is a nice prospect, but if there is a stud there, take him. That makes Daniels expendable after this year.